Another lawsuit says some McDonald's value meals are no-value rip-offs

Another Chicago-area patron of the Golden Arches is suing a McDonald's franchisee for deceptive trade practices and claiming that some Extra Value Meals actually cost more than buying the items a la carte.

Eleven cents — that's the added cost of buying a McDonald's Sausage Burrito Extra Value Meal at a downtown Chicago McDonald's, instead of buying the items a la carte, according to a lawsuit filed Dec. 22 in Cook County Circuit Court against McDonald's and Salabad LLC, a Chicago-area franchisee. Plaintiff Kelly Killeen alleged she bought the value meal for $5.08 at the McDonald's at 36 W. Randolph St., when the two burritos, hash browns and medium coffee would have cost a total of $4.97 individually.

Killeen's lawsuit accuses both Oak Brook-based McDonald's and Salabad of violating state law on consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices.

But the problem is far more widespread than just the one location, according to the complaint. The lawsuit alleges that McDonald's "complete or substantial control" of its restaurants caused locations throughout Illinois to charge more for certain Extra Value Meals than if the items were bought individually, despite extensive national marketing indicating otherwise.

The lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status, seeks to "redress the pervasive pattern of fraudulent, deceptive and otherwise improper advertising, sales and marketing practices that McDonald's continues to engage in" with certain Extra Value Meals, including the Two Cheeseburger Extra Value Meal and the Sausage Burrito Extra Value Meal.

A McDonald's spokeswoman did not return requests for comment. A Salabad representative could not be immediately reached.

Earlier this month, James Gertie, of Des Plaines, filed a lawsuit against Karis Management Co. of Des Plaines, which operates about 10 locations in the area and charges $5.49 for two cheeseburgers, medium fries and a medium fountain drink when purchased individually, but the value meal costs $5.90. Gertie bought the two cheeseburger value meal at five McDonald's locations across Des Plaines and Niles operated by the franchisee in October and November, according to the lawsuit. Gertie's lawsuit also is seeking class-action status.